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NATIONAL PATRIOTIC POEM, 



BY 



/ 



ESTWICK EVANS. 



U. S. A. 



WASHINGTON CITY 
1854. 



,£4-7 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1854, 

By ESTWICK EVANS, 

in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the District of Columbia. 



DEDICATION. 



TO R. W. LATHAM, Esq. 

Sir: I am led to dedicate this work to you by the 
sentiment that no individual in the country should be so 
unjust, so envious, or of so trifling a cast of mind as to with- 
hold from you high praise, and something withal of grati- 
tude, for your very liberal and public-spirited offer of 
jive hundred dollars for the best National Patriotic Poem ; 
and in terms, too, I beg leave to add, so classical, so elo- 
quent, and so indicative of deep attachment to the inter- 
ests and glory of the nation. 

Although a stranger to you, sir, I can truly say that 
my first motive for composing the poem was the desire 
that your generous proposal should be responded to by 
a large number of competitors, so that you might be the 
more likely to meet a just reward in the successful carry- 
ing out of your patriotic purpose. 

I do not know, sir, what you might think, on perusal, of 
the production — its principles, reasonings, and sentiments; 
but you are no more responsible for them than for the li- 
berty I take in here connecting your name with the publi- 
cation of the work. I will, however, say, not only that it 
has much to do with the moral sense and moral courage of 
the country, but that its principles, reasonings, and senti- 
ments must be fully embraced and acted on by her before 
she can attain to her truest and highest security and glory. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

THE AUTHOR. 



PREFACE. 




The people of the United States possess a very high 
reputation for spirit and enterprise. But does not the 
country, under some of its political phases, need more of the 
particularity and niceness of principle — a more grave and 
considerate sense of moral obligation, as citizens, and 
more of that kind of courage, which, being based on Re- 
ligion, is, even unden the most adverse circumstances, sus- 
tained by faith and trust in God? 

It has not been the Author's object, here, to present a 
literary production, or one of historic variety and rich- 
ness ; but to occupy a few pages in exhibiting something 
of the didactical in political morals ; and he hopes that the 
grave importance of the latter will lead the public judgment 
to dispense with the former. 

One cannot but perceive that we are already, as a Nation, 
very great ; and that we are rapidly advancing in all the 
scientific and physical elements of power. But how is it 
with our moral power? Are we wholly noble, even in 
the Spartan sense of the term? Are we plain in our 
modes oi living, and do we cultivate a self-denying spirit? 
The people do indeed possess considerable of these ele- 
ment s of moral grandeur, and are also capable of great 
exhibitions of courage, and of physical endurance. But 
are they, ordinarily, led by the highest principle of action — 
duty in its most exalted moral sense? Is it not, rather, 
the more common elements of patriotism — more of mere 
spirit, and personal pride, and love of the praise of men ? 



VI. PREFACE. 

I would not, of course, commed to the people the stand- 
ard of the whole Spartan system, (though I would have 
them cherish in their bosoms and practice that great root 
of Spartan virtue, self-denial,) but I would call the at- 
tention of the people to that infinitely higher, that all per- 
fect standard — Reverence and duty towards God. 
Here a nation is not confined to the narrow sphere of ac- 
cidental or adaptative custom, but is introduced to the 
whole universe of intellectual and moral being. Here 
the true religious principle, operating on the religious na- 
ture of man, advances him, from age to age, in that track 
of intellectual and moral improvement, which constitutes 
the main elements of both personal and national grandeur. 
Here is the root, and only enduring basis of Patriotism — 
keeping pure the inner political man, as well as strength- 
ening the outer elements of his nature. The spirit of the 
battle-field, so important in the estimation of us all, is not 
the foundation, but only the adored apex of our glory. 

If this poem be thought, at first view, not particularly 
calculated to interest the masses, may I not suggest, if it 
will not be well to consider whether it would not be the 
fault of the masses if it should not particularly interest 
them, — and whether the circumstances of its being sanc- 
tioned and encouraged by the true principles, and judg- 
ment, and taste of the country, might not tend to render 
the views of the masses more favorable, and thereby give 
popularity to the doctrines and sentiments of the produc- 
tion? And may it not, also, be well to consider, whether 
the masses have not already enough of that sort of spirit — 
that sort of patriotism, which a more popular order of 
poetry might be supposed better calculated to gratify — 
at least for the time being ? And is there not already ex- 
tant sufficient of that sort of poetry ? And may it not be, 



PREFACE. VII. 

that that sort of poetry might so excite that peculiar order 
of patriotism as to mislead the citizen, to the dishonor and 
injury of the country? 

If there should be any objection to the doctrines ad- 
vanced as to the abstract and relative on the subject of 
Government, the dangers of our own system, and the 
possible advantages of other forms, in other countries, and 
under other circumstances, it is replied that what is ad- 
vanced is Truth, and that knowledge of the truth is 
essential to the dignity, advancement, and welfare of 
man. We ought to become acquainted with truth in all 
its phases, and not merely in that which is seen only from 
one point of view. What I have advanced in the poem 
on this point is fact ; and it is contrary to the prevalence 
of truth, and an error injurious to ourselves, to shut our 
eyes upon the wide and complex subject of government. 
The United States, at this moment, owes a great deal — 
perhaps her absolute safety, to enlarged views on this 
great topic, instead of one universal and intense idea and 
feeling in behalf of our own democratic form — viewing 
all others, under any circumstances, as erroneous, and 
even criminal. It is here that we find the security that 
naturally flows from moderation and caution. In this there 
is nothing against the spirit of Liberty and free institutions — 
nothing against the zeal that may be felt for them ; for it 
is simply showing that the subject of government, in gene- 
ral, is connected with adaptative and overruling circum- 
stances ; and that under free institutions, virtue and in- 
telligence on the part of the people are absolutely indis- 
pensible. 

I have not gone into the general details of the Revolu- 
tionary war, though so very highly interesting, because 
both our historians and poets have so fully pre-occupied 



VIII. PREFACE 

this ground ; and because, also, such course would, withal, 
have rendered the poem too long. Motives somewhat 
similar, with me, applied to our second war with England, 
and that with Mexico. 

As I have here intimated, historic and poetic details, 
in all these wars, and abounding in splendour and excite- 
ment, may be found in our libraries; and I deemed the 
exhibition of principles connected with our future safety 
and glory far more important, and even more closely con- 
nected with a National Patriotic Poem. I trust, however, 
that the poem here presented will not fail to thrill, to some 
extent, every virtuous and noble heart. 

For myself, personally, I ought to say, that this is my 
first attempt to write a Poem ; and that in addition to the 
earliest moving motive, suggested in the Dedication, my 
principal inducement was to exhibit the deep worth and 
importance of the principles involved in the subject. 

THE AUTHOR. 



SOME POINTS IN THE GENERAL ARGUMENT :— 



Invocation to God to aid in the undertaking. Liberty. 
Washington. The other Chiefs. Revolution. Sara- 
toga. Yorktown. Private Soldier. Trenton. Valley- 
Forge. Tomb of Washington. True soldier, in life and 
death. Address to Country. Amazing Destiny, Cau- 
tion. Society. Government. Conservation. " Com- 
promise." Full Eulogy to Mr. Clay. Eulogy to Mr. 
Webster. Eulogy to Mr. Calhoun. Patriotism. True 
citizen. Liberty again. Caution. Civil Order. Our 
Government. Caution. Our Fore-Fathers. The States. 
Our Great Central Power. Foreign Relations. Home 
Concerns. Forms of Government. Administration of 
Free Government. Caution. Right and Conservation 
contrasted. Harmony. Our Fore- Fathers again. In- 
tegrity of Ballot. Office. This Country a Mission. The 
Merits and Sufferings relative to its early history. Apol- 
ogy for Slavery as an involuntary System. Appeal to 
other Nations. Happy results. Full Eulogy of Coloni- 
zation Societies, and of their distinguished friends, living 
and deceased. The Country again. Wonderful pros- 
pects before us. Obligation. Moral order. Govern- 
ment again. Dangers peculiar to this country. Appeal 
to the Country. Knowledge ; and the virtue and wisdom 
of Moderation. Party ; its Benefits ; its Dangers, Con- 
clusion. 



W: 






POEM. 



— o — 



GOD of the Patriot soul, vouchsafed 

To shield humanity from Tyrant grasp ; 

To shield its innocence, its peace, its weal ! 

Thee I invoke, to aid my humble pen, 

To sketch its nature, and portray its deeds ; 

For sure Thou know'st, that from my youth I've sought, 

In all the scenes which Nature offers to 

The captive heart : in the clear day, and in 

The sombre night ; on flowery vales, and 

Mountains' sterile tops ; on the great Deep, when 

It did flout the sky; and in the Desert, 

Where solitude doth speak strange languages, 

That I might find the spotless plumery 

Of Eagle-Liberty, which Thou ordain'd. 

And Thee, oh Washington, servant of Htm 
Who lent thee to the world, that from thy Urn, 
So cold, might spring a light, from age to age, 
To guide thy orphan'd children here, — calling 
Thee Father, and unselfing-self, to live 
As thou didst live, for this great rescued Land ! — 
Oh, by that knell, that told of thy last sleep, 
And led my anxious lips, though but a child, 
To ask the why the tears stole down the cheeks 
Of a sweet Sister, now, too, deceas'd, and 
Joined with thee to the bright throng of Saints 
And Patriots in the upper blissful Heavens ! — 
Oh, by that knell, austere in sorrow's wail, 






12 A POEM. 

And grand in grief, let my heart know the love 

Of Native Land ; and social order, that 

Rests on private virtue, christian precept, 

And the sound head that kens the way, where lies 

The nation's truest greatness, strength, and fame. 

Where are the Chiefs besides the mighty Chief, — 
They who at Saratoga fought, and York,* 
And other fields, brilliant in arms, and crown'd 
With deathless laurels ? And where the soldier, 
Of plain and honest soul, and humble life, 
Whose bare and bloody feet stain'd the rough ice, 
And virgin snow, their cause as pure as this, 
When Trenton's earliest morn heard the loud 
Cannon those still feet did draw through murky night ? 
And they of Valley-Forge, deep trench'd in snows, 
And winter's longest rigors, 'mid many needs, 
Whilst Britain's ranks, well-cloth'd and fed, barrack'd 
In cities,f whose lighted halls responded 
To the joyous dance of heels Despotic ? 

They, too, have gone to their reward, beatic; 
Here servants of Christ, we trust, as they were 
Faithful and true to their own Great Captain. 
They sleep apart ; but on yonder mystic hill, 
In Zion's everlasting Land, they meet, 
And greet, as erst, when in this warring world, 
Where virtue shadow'd forth the life to come. 

Again, of the Power Above, and the 
Still Tomb near the Potomac's silver flow, 

* Yorktown. 

\?h<d British army were located in Philadelphia that winter — the winter of 

1777-1778. 



A POEM. 13 

I seek an inspiration, far beyond 

The pride and fame of ancient Greece and Rome ; 

All heathen in worship, and oft astray 

From truest grandeur's track, and wisdom's fruits. 

Be mine the man whose highest aim is God, 

And constant service duty, and whose wealth 

Needs not the glare of gold, or acres broad, 

Nor greatness, this brief world^s hard-sought renown. 

Soldiers of the Cross, — they are the men for 
Council or for Field ; for they for Truth do 

Strive; and great their reward or stand or fall. 

Oh, what a field ! where every man bears 

In his heart a banner direct from God, 

And whose chaste lips, unstain'd by falsehood, or 

By oath profane, is moistened yet by the 

Pure wine of the dear fount confessional, 

Of Him, "whose sword is on His thigh, and reigns 

Forever, King of Kings, and Lord of LIFE !" 

Can such an one be conquer'd ? or, if so, 

If so the will of God, oh what glory — 

Christian man ! what sacrifice, proud 

Tears to start from holy Angels' eyes, off-dropping 

From Heaven's battlements, to consecrate 

His grave — making him beautiful in death. 

My country ! Parent of our Parents, whose 
Hoar tombs, for ages back, the closer bring 
Thee to this high-throbbing heart ; throbbing with 
Pride, though pensive still for all thy toils, and 
Pains, filling the breast with deep affection 
And a holy grief! Oh what a hist'ry 



\ 



14 A POEM. 

In human woe, and human grandeur, too, 

From the first Pilgrim step on savage soil 

To the rich glories of a hundred States, 

Now and to come, with stars so bright, that to 

The earth's last virge they raise the shout : Liberty ! 

And death to Thrones ! On — on is still their cry! 

And still — on — on ! that cry shall be, till 

Not a man remains, on earth, unfreed by Thee.* 

Oh, touch this bosom with the hidden fire, 

That Nature kindles in the human heart, 

To rush, filial and rev 'rent, to defend 

A faithful Mother, whose pure breast sheltered 

And nourished our helpless infant years ! 

Here is the fount of Patriot-virtue ; 

The pure, deep love, that warms, and sanctifies, 

And seeks to save, and joys to suffer, too ; 

Mere motive, here, is cold and late : 'Tis love 

Divine — efflux of Heaven within the 

Soul, to'ards our Native Land — to die for her. 

Here Liberty, that chaste and daring Dame, 

All truth, all candor, lays her holy eyes 

Upon our inmost vision, and so charms 

Our latent virtue, that we joy to bleed* 

Here self is banish'd, and the man stands like 

A God, admir'd by all of human kind. 

So far the Muse the vestibule of things 

Hath ope'd ; and now, with finger practical, 

Will speak of man, society, and law — 

The law of Government. Great is this theme : — 



* Not the slightest is here meant in favor of the spirit of Filibustering. 
Every thing, with us, should rest upon our natural growth, combined with the 
strictest integrity, honor, and good-faith towards all nations. 



A POEM. 15 

Man in society; to his own soul, — 
Himself alone, adding the soul of others — 
Of all, the charm supreme of brotherhood. 
Oh, what a space for Duly ! how broad the 
Range for good — from each to all. all to each. 

Spirit fraternal — social, there is a 

Word in thy vocabulary. destin r d 

To shine in front of w T ords harder and stronger. 

Because more heavenlv mild — useful more : 

'Tis Conservation \ Here the pivot is 

Of public blessing. And yet another 

Word — a dear sister of the former. — 

Twin-loves, breathing of peace, and gentle ways : — 

Compromise her name — now a household term. 

But where is Right, the fiery charger 

Of the social state? Be here much caution; 

For his rough hoof may crush all social weal. 

Be Right the aim; — but mark, — Preserve ! — Preserve! 

Preserve the cause, preserve this happy Land ; 

For on this term of Right, full oft, Spirits 

Foul and false, cater for ruinous sway. 

Oh, Clay ! patriot of patriots ; friend 

Of that great friend of man :— Conservatism, 

To whom thou gavest a sweet hand-maiden, 

To attend her always : — "Compromise," thy 

Own good word, remembered well by all. 

Of this thou wast, indeed, the true Father; 

And left by thee — Great Legator Entomb'd, 

For thy own country, for all time to come. 

Oh, hear that country's voice, though still thy own 

In the still tomb !— Oh, hear it, 'mid the eye 



16 A POEM. 

Weeping, and heaving breast, and sadest mein ! 

She mourns for thee, and ever will, most true, 

Thou second saviour of this grateful land, — 

Alas, grateful too late. — Oh, could we hear 

Thy voice again, — that patriot voice, whose 

Silver tones charm'd the trumpet call to Arms — 

To Liberty ! — and, in soft suasion, to 

Union, concord, peace! — Oh, could we see, once 

More, that flashing eye, and lofty bearing 

In thy country's cause, she would relent, (ah, 

How much she does !) and, weeping, bind the bays, 

Chiefest, upon thy pure Patriot brow. 

Oh, curs'd ingratitude ! — curs'd in dullness 

More than all, — not to perceive — worse, to feel, 

'Till the high soul, and glorious form, had 

Left our sight forever — in scenes below ! 

Yet, generous Spirit, — generous most 

When most 'twas wrong'd; still walk with us, (unseen 

Though it must be ;) still impart thy counsel, 

Guard the public weal, and calm the surges 

Of a fever'd State, when they rise, as wont. 

Yet other clouds of sorrow meet our view ; 
Yet other shafts have sped and reach'd our hearts : — 
Webster, — the deep, the learn'd, the great, is dead, 
And glory weeps, for aye, and hope is fled. 

And one, ah woe ! — so pure, and bold for truth : — 
Calhoun ; — the patriot, whose iron mind 
Fought for the States, — dying but at the goal. 

Oh, when, and where, shall we behold again 
Such mighty men — men of glorious mould ? 



A POEM. 17 

Oh, 'tis a sin to hope it ; — a sin to 
Look to God for blessings so beyond our 
Hearts' ingratitude, and life so wicked. 
Yet, Heavenly Father, spare — spare this Land ! 
Oh, for the sake of those, who, for Thy cause 
Brav'd the rough Deep, and howling savage shores, 
To worship Thee, in reverent love, far 
From the persecutor's sword ; — oh, for their 
Sakes, pardon our public sins, — heal our strifes, 
And give us, yet again, — once more — oh, once, 
In things of State, such miracles of men 1 

And here, in presence, awful, of the Dead — 
The Patriot dead, I ask the living, 
In what consists the patriot soul ? 
It is the Spirit-fire, from off the hearth — - 
The Almighty's, in the holy Heavens.; 
And it came down, to whisper to mankind, — 
Nursing His chosen sons, until the brow 
Of youth expands with grandeur; and they feel 
How beautiful it is to die for their 
Own Native land — and be beloved by her- 
To this is added social life, and love 
Of kindred: — father and mother, brethren, 
Sisters — all; and the graves of Ancestors; 
And, then, the tears of children, wife, and lover's 
Charmed life ; and then, again, the soil, in 
Manly majesty standing, or female 
Guise : — hoar mountains, and flowery meadows; 
Mighty rivers, and gently running streams; 
Forests of sturdy oak, and osier meek ; 
Rude storms, and zephyr's balmy breath ; deluge 
Rains, and fruit inviting showers ; all — all 
Entwine themselves around the heart, and make 
3 



]8 A POEM. 

The country and the man but one — one soul. 
Here, too, is Duty — here the voice of God ; 
What words ! — Duty,— God ! Take the long line of 
Virtues, and, (sad to say,) of crime in life 
That's private, and ask what conscience says to 
All of these ? Here men, in general, will 
Tell you the response. But oh, the many 
That ballot for the State, nor dream of Duty, 
Conscience, God, or public good ; and yet, one 
Vote may turn the scale, on which may hang the 
Public weal or woe ; yea, and one vote, not 
Cast, may do the same, — blasting our proud hopes, 
And bringing sneers from the monarchic world. 

There is a freeman that is true, and one 

That's false; and one, again, though true, (if so 

It could be said,) is false, having no works 

A freeman true, in very deed, is he \*ho 

Jlds for truth ; stands on the rampart of his 

Country's weal, and lets his voice be heard, where 

Law demands; yea more, wherever Duty calls : — 

A man complete he is — a christian man. 

Without deceit ; no falsehood stains his lips; 

Justice and honor mark his path, and faith ; 

Unselfish, kind, his law is charity ; 

Peace, too, is his,- — and lawlessness abhors. 

His is no peculating spirit ; and his 

Spoils are wrung, not from a brother's board, 

But from his own free toils — on freedom's field. 

If not of lowly but of upper life, 

Equality he loves, — equality 

Of law, and public privilege and good. 

And 'midst the show of learning and of taste, 

And fashionable life, he sees the man. 



A POEM, 19 

And lets distinctions go to Feudal Lands : 

His question is, not how's the man, but what ? — 

Not what his purse, but heart; and loves to grasp 

The hard and honest hand — the Country's shield ! 

Perhaps c tis his to love the praise of men ; 

And on this native trait, deep seated in 

His soul, he is ambitious: So be it ; — 

This may exist for good and not for ill ; 

For, mark ! His heart is pure ; conscience his shield ; 

And, for all worlds, he w r ould not stain his soul. 

The approbation of his God, is his 

Infinite first aim ; and as to Power, 

He loves it not, and seeks it only for the 

Nation's glory, and very highest good. 

Thus far, again, Parnassus's Hill, essay'd 
I have ; and now the illimitable 
Of Liberty, Government, and Law, and 
Public power, and peace, and home-concerns, 
And policy that's foreign, claim our thoughts. 

First, Liberty, with, Eagle-wing, soars to 

The skies ! But mark, — no jesting Bird is she; 

But grave, and worn by thought, she scans, and mourns 

The ills, with which ignorance, and passion, 

Folly, and crime, marr and disgrace her realms. 

Wide is this topic — wider far, even 
Than many minds of reach and lore ; and for 
The million^ much I fear, far less they know, 
And less they think, wherein is public weal. 
With them the Abstract is the constant theme; 
And truth that's Relative they dream not of; 



20 A POEM. 

And yet, no abstract ground was ever brought 
In practice, without its relative to 
Accord or marr, in gubernative track. 

Now Universal Liberty, all hail ! 

But caution here: — the end and means Jldaptativel 

Mark all experience, history ; and see, 

That freedom true is true Philosophy. 

I would have All men free; — brothers — equals, 
And no King but God. But let the free know, 
That to rule ill is Godlessness and woe ! 

Grand is the scale of liberty We have ; 
And let us do it honor, not disgrace : — 
Oh; 'tis a trust from God — for all mankind. 

Come Patriot Spirits ! from the length and 
Breadth of this dear Land, — in virtue planted, and 
In glory saved : — Come revel in the joy 
Of virtuous pride; and whilst we drop a tear, 
Wrung by regret from honest hearts, for all 
Our follies past, let us resolve, that the 
Future shall make known in us, a spirit 
Wiser to direct, and an order true. 

Our form of Government is Free] none this 

Disputes ; and in it all do glory much. 

But is it wise in form ? Yes, yes ; but how ? 

Within itself, in closest abstract sense? 

No ; nor this, nor any other form is so. 

5 Tis Adaptation only makes it wise: 

Democracy is wise where virtue dwells, 

And knowledge large, and gentle modes of life : 



A POEM. 21 

Where vice, and ignorance, and ire do rule, 

The free are curs'd — self-curs'd, leaving no change 

But military bonds and iron sway. 

No form of government is best, itself 
Within, in strictest terms ; none false or true, 
Wise or unwise, but as by Circumstance 
It so shall be : — And these are various :— 
(Far too various here to name in full :) 
The People's temp'rment ; and occupation ; 
Good sense and virtue, or their antipodes ; 
Religion; clime; and face of country, mark'd 
By hill or dale, or hard or easy soil ; 
And perhaps, spirit of neighboring states. 

Our form is happy : happy, taught by that 
Germ of Liberty, which sprang from the North 
Of Europe's hardy sons ; and from thence to 
England, to learn — self-learn, in the hard school 
Of tyrant monarchy and bigot's rage 
Babbling; and thence, again, (when winnowed 
By the pure winds of God's severest good,) 
It landed here — a flow'r on winter's lap; 
And by Heaven's dews of grace, grew in the 
Wilderness, — until for every tree 
Arose a Temple; and Governments of 
Free and sovereign States ; and that proud arch 
Of civil rule, — our mighty Central Power. 

But form of Government, alone, is far 

From being all : its ministration is 

Its hardest test ; and so the case with us : — 

Its ministration in our home-concerns, 

And in our bearing to'ards all foreign States. 

The basis of the first — of our safety, 



22 A POEM. 

And good repute, is Order. Without this, 

Society is one field of strife, and 

Wrong, and blood ; and from this source springs the rude 

Demagogue, of Liberty the ape and 

Curse; and then the Leveller of right, 

Civil, — right of property. Here law 

Agrarian does its vulgar workings ; 

And industry and commerce die away. 

Another evil may well afflict the State : — 
Corruption at the ballot : — spoils, in the 
Shape of office and of gold, — twin Demons, 
Profering, in advance, the sordid lure. 
Oh, may the Law frown, in its majesty, 
On all dishonor in this mighty Land ; 
And may the scorn of all virtuous breasts 
Be a broad shield its honor to protect ! 

So far the root of Power : Then see it 
Pass from the great mass to those hands, select, 
To represent the whole. And now attend, 
And hear a truth, so little known and thought, 
And yet to know it is to know, at once, 
Our danger, and at once our deepest weal : — 
Who dreams, (and yet no dream it is, but fact 
So easily made clear,) that our free form 
Of government, may be as Desfotic 
As the Czar or Turk] and hence, with us, the 
Patriot eye should never sleep, but note 
The track of Party, and foil it in its 
Devious ways, and plottings dark as night. 
The principle of monarchy is One ; 
And so is One the Democratic plan. 
The law of monarchy, if absolute, 



A POEM. 23 

Is but the monarch's voice ; and the law of 

Institutions free — the voice of Party — 

No less imperious and unrestrained. 

Say not our Central Rule, (and so the States,) 

Is many; for see, it is only One : 

What of our powers co-ordinate ? 

The Legislative branches — (but one trunk 

Though twain limbs,) form but one co-ordinate, 

Con-joint, though negative each one on each. 

And the power Executive another one ; 

And, then, a third, (partly of the second,) — 

The power Judicial — to judge in Law, 

And act by certain forms established. 

If these great powers were all estrang'd, 
With different interests and a jealous heart, 
And subject — not to the power without — 
The Mighty Mass, the State might jar, and yet 
The State remain within her pristine orb. 
But in this free Land, Party is the State; 
And Party, here, may rule, at once, in ev'ry 
Branch, with sway terrific — knowing no bounds. 
What could not party do? It makes your Head 
Executive ; and House ; and Senate ; and 
Fills all offices ; — and so some Caesar, 
At the Party's head, might stand a Unit 
Many a cruel year of iron rule. 

Here flourishes that Upas of the Land — 
The rule Proscriptive, — so fruitful in spoils* 
This principle, alone, can ruin bring 
On all the Nation: — one hand presents a 
Double bribe of gold and station ; and the 



24 A POEM. 

Other, the whip, that threats to scourge, as crime, 

Opinion's honest difference; aye more, — 

The sword and halter; — (strangest/reedom this !) 

Oh Liberty, and God of our Fathers! 
Here is a rule of action, — (not law, but 
Worse, if worse can be, — against law) — a rule 
By will of Party — brief, like a plund'rer's! 

The Law alone appoints to all office; 
And law alone can ever this undo. 
The only power convey 'd, is Duty, 
(Be this forever known,) and not the plea 
Tyrannical — endless Pretence of Right. 

Who talk of Right? — Or whig or democrat? 

What but the power to do a Duty? 

And whence this power ? W ho gave it to them ? 

Sure nought but Law ; and this ne'er speaks of Right, 

But only power, to serve, as public men, 

For the best public good, under the law. 

To make this pow T er official, one that's 

Personal — a right, is to proclaim the 

Reign of Nero, — and crush souls in office. 

That will not bow to Nero's will — though base. 

Now, to our Foreign policy we turn : 
And here, in very brief, the ground should be 
The mirror of God's law : — To Nations do, 
As by them to us we would be done by. 
Oh, for the glory of a nation True : — 
Sincere and just ; with honor's niceness, and 
Open candor's glow, — rich gifts of Heaven. 



A POEM. 25 

Oh, my Country — Pioneer of Nations ! 

Mighty States, marching in Unity, and 

Beck'ning to the old world — to other Lands, 

To follow on, in Freedom's lofty track ; 

And wisest use of freedom ; — raising man 

To the highest mark of social order ; — 

And up to the standard perfect of Christ, 

To whom all the nations should lowly bow. 

Yours is His mission ; and looking back, we 

See it in the first foot-prints of our Sires, 

Cis- Atlantic, whose Faith , so marvellous, 

Did lead them on, with fore-thought, wisdom, and 

Untiring zeal, mid toil, disease, and cold, 

And savage war, and sorrow's bitter cup. 

And oh, ye Nations, slur not our wreath of 
Glory, by pointing to Slavery's chain, 
With which it is entwined ; for know, a 
Government beyond our infant strength, — ■ 
A foreign legislation forged this chain, — 
Staining our own free thoughts, and ling'ring on, 
Until, it growing with our growth, had so 
In-wrought itself, that patriotic zeal, 
And civil wisdom became powerless* 

Wait awhile, oh, yet wait, in charity, 
Accusing Nations, 'till God's high decree, 
So oft through wrong of man accomplished, 
Shall here fulfil its mighty blessings ; 
For see, returning the happy offspring 
Of ferocious sires ; — returning to bless 
The Land that once was theirs : see Liberty, 
And law, and faith, and righteous zeal ; order, 
4 



26 



A POEM. 



Feason, love, learning, agriculture, arts, — 

Full cornucopia of social bliss ! 

See that bright track, (fore-ordained of God,) 

Across the ocean wide, from these our shores 

To Africa's Land reclaimed ! Hail, noble 

Spirits, so full of faith, and love, and zeal 

Untiring in the cause of country, and 

Of man, — man the least hop'd for, and for whom 

To care, full olt it was disgrace, and is : 

Hail Ashmun, Finley — All ! number here too 

Large to name — (painful omission ;) some now 

Above, and some on earth still lab'ring in the 

Mighty cause ! Hail, thrice hail ! I see the crowns 

In Heaven, for you, still here, prepared ; 

Crowns, that shall make your brows, now so worn and 

Furrow'd with earth's lengthened toils, fairer than 

Angels' ; and your thoughts, the thoughts of peace and 

Love, and joy triumphant, for evermore t 



Again, I say, oh, great Pioneer of 

Nations ! mark, what power, what spread, what store 

Of intellect, and mines of wealth, and arts, 

And arms, and prowess--all, the Almighty 

Hath decreed to place within thy chosen 

Hands ! And oh, the reach, the breadth, the fame, 

The population, power, within thy grasp ! 

See, to the North, full to the Polar point, 

The gelid sov'reignty for you in store ; 

And East, along the old Atlantic wave ; 

And West, where the Pacific sea laves her 

Golden shores ; and then, due South, perhaps, to 

Where the gruff Horn prides in her stormy wave.* 



* See note to page 14. 



A POEM. 2? 

Amazing Nation! Oh, what power, (and 
Obligation, too,) to swell the glory, 
Or to sink to shame, oar name, — baptized 
In the love, and blood, of our Fore-Fathers ! 

Oh, for the Order — moral, equal to 

The extent of our relations : — a pure 

Purpose, and wise rule, — that civil glory, 

And not civil shame, may dwell forever in 

My native Land ! Oh, aspirations of 

My youth, for thee my country, when on thy 

Breast I lay, and drank of streams that flowed 

Thy mountains' sides ! And now, w T hen age hath come, 

And round I look to find a grave, sunny 

To cheer its damps, I love the more, for more 

I fear for thee ! But think not that I sink 

Beneath my years : — No ; the strong sinew, and 

The bounding step, and heart of warmth and pow'r, 

(All gifts of God, to whom I would render 

Humblest thanks,) I pledge to thee, for council 

Oh for field, if such need should ever be. 

But where the dangers lurking in the State? 
They are ambition, love of office, spoils, 
And the rough vengeance of a Party strife : — 
Where the Demagogue, fiendish and subtle, 
Leads, by abuse of names, and patriot 
Mockery, the ardent throng. He seeks the 
Extreme of fancied Liberty, and 
Looks to Force, by crushing, to prove it true ; 
Or, agrarian-like, heap up and divide. 

Rome had her rank elements, in her full 
Commonwealth : and so have we \ but we, more 



28 A POEM. 

Happy, the safer state ; for reason why : 

That blessed running fount of hearts Conservative,— 

Good citizens — beloved of God and man. 

These are the bless'd Patriots whom we sing ; — 

Men who look to Liberty, government, 

And law, for sacred ends of that Order, 

Civil, which the Supreme lends unto man, 

To shadow forth, on earth, the truth, and the 

Benevolence, and the peace of Heaven ! — 

First Government, and what it truly is : — 

A rule of action, fundamental in 

A state. And here the rule is, what all rules 

Should be : not abstract merely, but concrete 

Withal; — a rule adaptative to time, 

And place, and every circumstance that 

Makes a case for wisdom's action ; and hence 

No one gubernative order is the 

Best abstractedly, but that which accords 

Best with circumstance, and worthiest ends. 

Hold, proud Democracy ! with your abstract 
Test, and besom broom, to sweep away all 
Other forms of gubernation ; — whilst I 
Your cords shall strengthen, by light of truth, to 
See the whole of that wide ground in moral 
Being, where Circumstance gives the Relative 
More force and reason, than the narrow view 
Of Abstract right;— so lauded by mankind. 

See England's form, complex, of government, 
So curs'd by half the world ! — and yet so wise, 
For Her, that admiration lends her wing 
To soar in praise, though blind the off'ring seem. 



A POEM. 29 

But first of Thee, my country, lest with the 
Eye of prejudice, and scorn, you cast the 
Seed from out the earth, which I shall sow, to 
Bear a fruit to heal and save you ; — seeds 
Of deep search into your elements, to" find 
The good and evil — both, an dmake plain the way 
To reap the first, and from the last escape. 

Yet, ere I speak, know that my bosom, by 

Wild Nature free, could not Endure a King, 

Or Lords, or any rule but Democratic ; 

Therefore, to me, no country would be mine 

Where Privilege and Pomp should sway the realm ; — 

Yea, more: — (I speak in shame, for all Nations,) — 

What pity is it, that All could not themselves 

So know, and do, that no King or Court would 

Dare to show their front of Pride, or e'en set 

Up pretence of need, for self-defence, or 

Need for the w T eal of humblest citizens ! 

That such things may cease to be, Heaven grant, 

In His own perfect time, and perfect way ; 

And may Power and Tyranny, so rife with 

Ills innumerable, have end, so soon 

As Wisdom shall well prepare the Nations. 

Now, to my task, adventurous ! And yours the 

Ears to hear, and eyes to see, and minds to 

Judge by : — Know, then, for the first dash for Truth, 

That sheer Democracy, as a form of 

Government, is Absolute— -Despotic 

Sway ; — no less than Russia, Turkey, or reign 

of Galigula ; for there and here, it 

Is but a One power. There 'tis a Sole 



30 A POEM. 

Voice : and here one Sole aggregate ; this the 
Difference all. What e'er the People say 
Is Law, be it the voice of all, or voice 
Majority. This voice makes war and peace ; 
This kills or saves the individual 
]\1an. Oh God, what fearful trust, and needful 
How Thy grace, that speaks of virtue, wisdom, 
Spirit mild, charity, and christian love ! 

They err, who think our form of Government — 

Our powers co-ordinate, are sure checks, 

To stem the current of rabid Party. 

Our powers co-ordinate are One power, 

Have but one root, one spring: — the Ballot-box 

Is all. This makes the Chief Executive ; 

And House ; and Senate, (indirect through action 

Of Government of each State;) and thus makes 

All of one strong Party type. Nor think the 

Courts of Law depend not on the public 

Voice ; for these, though guarded well by rule 

Fundamental, are as a cobweb to 

The public Will. This will stands Absolute 

O'er the prostrate Land — self-prostrate, save but 

By civil war, with all its useless ills. 

But how is England, with her gorgeous 

Regal rule of Special privilege — of 

King and Lords ; yet check'd by Popular voice, 

So strong that the scales ever stand, (with trifling 

Oscillations,) in equilibrium ? 

There, to the mere co-ordinate, exists 

A super-addition — a thing of weight 

And truth of poise, known as Estates ; a sort 



A POEM. 31 

Of interests peculiar and complex ; — 

So separate each from each, that aside 

The National weal without, so slern that 

Unity must sway, they are private, in 

A sub-public sense : — The Throne ; the Lords — lay 

And spiritual ; then the rough Commons, 

In whose stern hands are chartered rights, wrung 

From the Throne, on many a battle-field, 

Where they were led by iron Barons bold'! 

Now, there, in England, that government is 

Best. Her history, habits, customs, and 

Many a thing besides, stamp it, alone, 

As feasible, — at least as yet ; whilst we 

Could not endure a government other 

Than our own; thus leaving choice foreclosed, 

And showing that Circumstances makes truth and 

Good as well as the Abstract of morals. 

■ i 

But let the Truth itself illustrate; and 
Let instruction be derived, by us, from 
Danger less of England's form, in England, 
And danger more of ours, even with ourselves, 
Though ours, for us, the better, wiser is : 
In England's rule are Balances, so that 
Corruption's self cannot undo the State ; 
Whilst, with ourselves, (with mere co-ordinates,) 
Nought can save but wisdom, and ballot pure. 

Oh, my Great Country ! hear a humble voice ; — 

Humble in fear, (lest evil should betide your 
Future day ;) and yet buoyant with hope, and 

Trust in that forgiving God, who, though 

Our sins are very many, still forbears 



32 A POEM. 

To strike us down, and proffers still His love 

To our obedience. Oh, think of Power, 

Political, not as a boon, to use 

For evil purpose, but to be so 

Employed, as will do right, and good to man — 

Man here and ev'ey where, and honor God. 

Once let this power pervert its purpose; — 

Apply itself to selfishness and wrong; 

Corrupt the fountain of our civil state : — 

Bribe at the Ballot-box, by proferr'd spoils, 

In shape of office, — (honor in rags 

Of shame !) oh, then our glory topples down, and 

The foul sight offends all earth and Heaven. 

My country's dangers claim the Patriot's 
Prayer, and patriot's truthfulest pen. 
Always are dangers on this side the skies ; 
For man hath here the seeds of wrong and woe. 
But dangers yours, Countrymen, peculiar, 
Rising from your Free estate : You are as 
One — one only ; for in the public voice — 
The public Will — the major vote, we have the 
Settled law, — stern as decrees of Fate. 
Oh, then, how clear it is, that with widest 
Liberty, should dwell virtue, knowledge, and 
Love of order, peace, and conservation 
True ; for e'en if the minor voice, how large 
So 'er it be, should in its breasts contain 
All virtues that adorn a State that's free, — 
Still it controls not ministrative sway : — 
Then, hear a voice, that hath no ends in view 
But for the National weal; no love of 
Office ; nor love of power ; nor love for 



A POEM. 33 

Exciting tones of popularity ; — 

Oh, hear, and lay your Party spirit by — 

Merely as such, that your free-will may seek, 

Not for mere triumph, nor for reward in 

Spoils, but the best good of that Dear Land, at 

Whose pure breast your infant days were nursed. 

I speak of Party in that vicious sense, 

Whence, in a State that's Free, passion, with all 

Its fruits of ill are rife : — jealousy, and 

Envy, and prejudice, and false-report, 

And other wrongs unnumber'd : — corruption, — 

Bribes in their various shapes, ofter'd to 

Fear and hope, to suit the varied hues 

Of character and taste : — To some, the voice 

Of flattery, false as sin, is tender'd ; 

Then again, the threat, significant of 

Harm, conjoined with smiles indicative of 

Good. And then, more gross, (if more could be,) 

The foul advance, outright, of office; and 

O'er and o'er, perhaps, — to insure success. 

Oh, shame, oh shame, my Country ! But let the 
Past suffice ; and, from experience, may 

Your virtue draw wisdom for times to come. 

Differ you will in views, though honest all ; 
For 'tis ordain'd of God, that reason's growth 
Should rest on reason's constant exercise 
An endless unanimity would dull 
The edge of life. 'Tis agitation, by 
The winds of Heaven, that purifies the 
Waters ; and so of the State. Here questions, 
High and various, make the people grow 



34 A POEM. 

In intellect. But let it be only 

Gentle breezes, not the whirlwind's foaming 

Lash, that speaks of wreck. Oh, let the oil of 

Conservation forever drop from off 

The rugged shores of restive Liberty, 

To calm the troubled waters ! Here will be 

Found, in blended blessing, the antidote 

Of Corruption, and foil of Jlnarchy. ' 



ADDITIONAL. 

(In different measure.) 

THEN, no Despair ! Self-Government will rise, 
As influence, happy, cometh from the Skies, 
Until no form of Government shall stand, 
But form close copied from this Chosen Land ; 
It is the noblest form — the only true, 
Before fair Virtue's favorite abstract view ; 
But holy is the boon, and hard the task, 
And hence such form so very rarely lasts ; 
A personal self-control it doth demand ; 
Virtue, and wisdom, and a gentle hand ; 
But more 'tis difficult, the glory more, 
And richer laurels yet for man in store ; 
Hence, oh my Country, keep your example high y 
That other Nations may your foot-steps try, 
And bless the day, when they can say they're free, 
And know how glorious 'tis to follow Thee ! 



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